IT has been brought to my attention that police officers who passed the time of day with me by saying such things as "Nice day innit?'' may have been exceeding their powers, as the government is only now thinking about giving them the necessary powers to do this.

I would have thought it was common sense that a police officer would be able to stop and question any person, whether an offence has been committed or not, in order to do their job.

I certainly, as a law-abiding citizen, would have no objection to being so questioned and would assist the officer to the best of my ability.

The only section of the community that logically would object to being questioned by police are those determined to offend against the decent majority, or those sympathetic to them.

In either case I have no doubt that the 'do sillies' will ensure that their rights are protected, while the rights of the majority are as usual totally neglected.

ALAN KEBBELL, Southampton.